INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT: Ministers of Health of African Union Member States will meet this weekend to discuss a continental strategy for preparedness and response to the coronavirus disease outbreak.

WHEN: Saturday, 22 February 2020

TIME: 9.00 am

WHERE: New Conference Center (NCC), African Union Commission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background Information

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak was officially declared in January 2020, and since then the disease has been spreading very fast. It has affected over 25 countries, in addition to China. Last week Egypt reported the first case of the disease in Africa.

The African Union Commission has been engaging Member States to learn and assess their preparedness for the outbreak. This Saturday, Ministers of Health of African Union Member States and partners will be meeting to discuss a coordinated approach in responding to the outbreak. Among others, they will:

1. discuss and agree on a continental strategy to better prepare and respond to any new cases of the virus on the continent;

2. discuss and agree on a common approach to receiving African students and citizens wishing to return from China;

3. share knowledge and information about experimental drugs, vaccines and clinical trials currently being undertaken for the control of the coronavirus disease.

The meeting will be opened by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Journalists are invited to attend and cover the opening and closing sessions of the meeting at the African Union Commission headquarters on Saturday, 22 February 2020.

Media inquiries:

Mr Molalet Tsedeke, Tel: +251 911-630631; Email: molalett@africa-union.org; Directorate of Information and Communication; AU Commission

About Africa CDC

Africa CDC is a specialized technical institution of the African Union which supports Member States in their efforts to strengthen health systems and improve surveillance, emergency response, prevention and control of diseases.

Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org

About the African Union

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission.

Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en

For further information please contact:

Esther Azaa Tankou | Head of Information Division | Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission | Tel: +251911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org |

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Directorate of Information and Communications | African Union Commission | Tel: Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Ext: 2573| E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org |

For further information please contact:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube